Saturday June 13, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has described Israel’s reported recognition of North Western State of Somalia in December 2025 as “one of the darkest days in the history of Somalia,” accusing Tel Aviv of taking advantage of the decades-old standoff between Mogadishu and Hargeisa. In an interview with Dawan TV last week, Mohamud said Somalia had only two realistic ways to respond to the North Western State of Somalia issue: force or dialogue. “We weighed the two options, and in…

By  OMAR FARUK and GERALD IMRAYWednesday June 10, 2026 A journey that was supposed to lift Somalia onto the World Cup stage has instead ended at a Miami airport, where referee Omar Artan was turned away, then removed from FIFA’s tournament roster. Artan, set to become the first referee from Somalia to work a World Cup after earning a place on FIFA’s final list announced two months ago, arrived with rare distinction. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s elite officials, he was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.…

Sundus AbdiSaturday April 25, 2026 Ifrah F Ahmed turned to Somali community members around the world to research her book, Soomaaliya: Food, Memory and Migration. Photograph: Khadija Farah On a video call from Brooklyn, with a book tour stretching between cities, Ifrah F Ahmed sips ginger-root tea. The aroma pulls her back to a childhood kitchen where her mother would often bake fragrant cardamom cake. “That’s a core childhood memory for me,” she said. For Ahmed, food has never been only about eating. It carries memory,…

What began as a family vacation from northeastern Maine quickly turned into something far rarer for Jason Heath: a front-row seat to history as NASA prepares to send Artemis II into space. "It's definitely cool to know that humans are going further than ever before," said the 40-year-old shipbuilder, speaking from Cocoa Beach, the bustling Florida resort near the NASA launch site where the towering orange-and-white rocket is due to thunder into the sky. "It's definitely pretty cool to know that I'll be around," he said.…

North Western State of Somalia’s president says Israel has recognized the breakaway republic, a move he casts as both a moral reckoning and a strategic recalibration in one of the world’s most contested maritime corridors. In a statement published Thursday, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Cirro) wrote that Israel extended recognition on Dec. 26, framing it as a response to shared history and aligned security interests along the Gulf of Aden. The claim, originating from the president’s account of events, puts fresh…

Fatal fire labeled ‘one of worst tragedies’ in Swiss history A fatal fire in Switzerland has been described as “one of the worst tragedies” in the country’s history, according to live updates from Europe. Immediate details remained scarce as authorities worked to confirm the scope of the disaster. Officials had not released the location of the blaze, a death toll or information about the cause at the time of the initial reports. The characterization underscores the severity of the incident and indicates a significant loss of…

Russia, China decry U.S. ‘cowboy’ tactics on Venezuela at UN Security Council; Washington defends moves UNITED NATIONS — Russia and China sharply criticized the United States for military and economic pressure on Venezuela during an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting requested by Caracas, denouncing what they called “cowboy” conduct and “intimidation” as Washington defended its actions as necessary to protect the hemisphere. Backed by Moscow and Beijing, Venezuela accused the United States of waging an unlawful campaign…

The latest Britain says it will launch its biggest overhaul of asylum policy in modern times, drawing on Denmark’s tougher model as the Labour government seeks to curb small-boat crossings and undercut populist pressure. The Home Office said it will revoke the statutory duty to provide housing and weekly allowances for certain applicants, targeting people who can work but do not, and those who break the law. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who argues the pace and scale of migration is straining communities, will set out…

France Reconsiders Its Colonial Legacy: Macron's Acknowledgment of Rights Violations in Cameroon In a significant yet long-overdue reflection on historical injustices, French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged the “repressive violence” that defined France’s actions during Cameroon’s arduous struggle for independence in the 1950s. This declaration arises from a broader reckoning with the colonial past that is entwined in the very fabric of France's identity. Macron's remarks were articulated in a heartfelt letter to…

PORTLAND, Oregon (AX) — Ahlam Osman, a 22-year-old entrepreneur and passionate community champion, is on the brink of making history as Portland’s inaugural Somali-American city councilor. Hailing from Southeast Portland, Osman feels ready to become an impactful presence in the city's political scene as she campaigns for the City Council seat in District 3. Her candidacy embodies a crucial chance for the younger, often overlooked voices in the area, particularly those from the Somali community. As the founder of Above…